better 1 of 4

Definition of betternext

better

2 of 4

adverb

as in more
to a greater or higher extent he knows property law better than anyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

better

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noun

better

4 of 4

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

How is the word better distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of better are ameliorate, help, and improve. While all these words mean "to make more acceptable or to bring nearer a standard," improve and better are general and interchangeable and apply to what can be made better whether it is good or bad.

measures to further improve the quality of medical care
immigrants hoping to better their lot

When might ameliorate be a better fit than better?

The synonyms ameliorate and better are sometimes interchangeable, but ameliorate implies making more tolerable or acceptable conditions that are hard to endure.

tried to ameliorate the lives of people in the tenements

When can help be used instead of better?

The words help and better can be used in similar contexts, but help implies a bettering that still leaves room for improvement.

a coat of paint would help that house

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of better
Adjective
On Tuesday Biden touted increases in Border Patrol staffing and also increased fentanyl seizures at the border, which officials have said shows that apprehension is getting better. Adam Shaw, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2023 The White House, ahead of the speech, paired police reform with bringing down violence, suggesting that giving police better training tools could lead to less crime nationwide. Zeke Miller and, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Adverb
In related news, Emma Foehringer Merchant wrote a fascinating story for Undark about researchers creating a repository of birds and bats killed at solar and wind farms, to better understand why they’re getting killed and how to prevent it. Sammy Rothstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2023 Last year, the office held listening sessions in Grove Hall, Roxbury, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain to better understand the needs of women and gender-expansive individuals. Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Feb. 2023
Noun
In addition, the FBI said Damon Jones, a former player and assistant coach for the Lakers, shared inside information about the health of LeBron James with betters back in 2023. Lz Granderson, Boston Herald, 28 Oct. 2025 The two companies are teaming up to enhance the viewing experience for NBA betters. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
His 22 per cent accuracy from these crosses is bettered by only 10 players across the league. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026 Following practice on Tuesday before the suspensions were handed out, Lee detailed how the Hornets can use the whole ordeal to better themselves. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for better
Recent Examples of Synonyms for better
Adjective
  • Requiring no special pan, this festive cake is loved by both kids and adults.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026
  • But some backpacks are better for travel than others, perhaps designed with isolated shoe compartments, holes to feed your phone charging cable through, jewelry pouches, and special materials that simply wipe clean after picking up germs from public floors.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • The North Atlantic Treaty Organization intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey on Monday, the second such incident, raising the risk the military alliance could be drawn more directly into the conflict.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
  • But Drozd said an appropriate sentence for Lauer would be more along the lines of the sentences handed out to other co-conspirators.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Polymeropoulos described a case involving a serviceman who was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and recommended for the Purple Heart by his superiors.
    Brit McCandless Farmer, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2026
  • But there’s this thing that his superior tells him about and that could be a major career move for him… a career maker.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The first half was scoreless with Sacramento holding 60% of possession while Tulsa had a 9-3 shot advantage.
    Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Ole Miss jumped out to a 23-2 lead over the Commodores and held a 32-point advantage at the halftime break.
    Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • For example, in some parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the difference exceeds 3 feet.
    Marcos Magaña, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Indiana could see data centers exceed 20% of the state’s electricity usage, a new report from the Electric Power Research Institute found.
    Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Approach improves transparency and trust in autonomous systems Similar to the flight data recorders used in aircraft, the system continuously logs information about the drone’s performance.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Any efforts to improve your living space may need to be run by other people, like a roommate or landlord.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Some dishes, like the exceptional goat neck dum biryani, which is served in a pot that’s sealed with a thin flatbread, are larger, so check in with your server about the number of items to order.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Williams’ words in December about Dalman’s exceptional brain, however, were followed by something less prophetic.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The texture is a bit sticky, though blends out with ease for soft edges and a natural finish.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Rainwater tends to gather along the road edges.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Better.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/better. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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